This has been no doubt the worst week of my life. I was out of town packing up my Mom to move her up with us. Well, the day before the moving company was to arrive for her belongings I got a call to say my house was on fire. I made it home that day to find I had nothing to save. It will be at least another year before I get modeling again! I had between $15 and 20,000. in the hobby but how do you put a dollar amount on all the hours of building and work to say nothing of the locos, cars, and structures that are no longer around?! I realize the main thing is that no one was hurt and we have each other to get through this… but no one understands how devestating it is to loose everything you owned until you go through it. So, I will still stop by to see what everyone is up to and in time I will ask for more help…until then…I will be shopping for a new layout. Don.
Really sorry to hear that. I can’t even imagine how difficult that must be for you.
Good luck with house rebuilding or purchase. I suspect that will keep you pretty ocupied for some time to come.
Regards
Ed
Don,
Sad to hear about the fire. It is very devastating to lose all you’ve worked for in a matter of minutes. I hope you had all tangible items insured. It will not replace those sentimental items such as family pictures and such but at least it will provide a means to begin rebuilding. My prayers will be with you.
Dude that sucks, I can’t imagine what your going through.
Don…sad news about the fire…hang in there…what part of BC are you in?..I’m in Victoria if I can help at all???
Max
That is certainly terrible news. I too, hope you had insurance to cover tangible goods and to help you start over. I can’t imagine (and never want to personally find out) how devistating losing a home would be. There is so much that you can’t ever replace! Good luck rebuilding and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Good no-one was hurt, I lived through a fire when I was a kid, still hate fires. Losing everything hurts, here to bigger and better in the future. Hang in there.
sorry to hear about your misfortune and it’s a tough thing to go thru…(I lost everything I owned in a flood about 10 years ago)…look on the bright side …eventually you’ll get a new layout someday…chuck
Ouch, I feel your pain. [V]
I lost a considerable amount of my fleet to something almost as ravaging as a fire. My divorce.
I know its hard to see a bright side to these things, but here’s to hoping that from the ashes a better layout will grow.!!!
Man that’s sucks. I feel bad for you. Makes me really appreciate my trains.
A lesson for all modelers in this is to inventory everything you have. One of the best ways is with a video record in addition to a hard copy such as a spreadsheet. Obviously, insurance money can’t replace the time and effort that went into a layout but a good inventory record can recoup your equipment losses, including structures, track, turnouts, etc. Obviously, your inventory record is best kept off site.
Thank you so much for the expressions and prayers from everyone. It’s the prayers that kept us safe. The fire was at no way by a fault of ours so we don’t have to beat ourselves up over negligence and yes we have insurance to re-build. In time, we’ll be fine!
Chuck: don’t worry…i will definately have a new and better layout someday!
Max: Thanks for the offer…I just moved up to Williams Lake 11 months ago.
jecorbett: You are right about keeping an inventory list! I wish I had!!
Don, sorry to hear about your most upsetting and horrid day. No words can put it right, but maybe you can look forward to being in the position, not too long from now, of going on line and ordering a couple of brand new locos and some rolling stock.
It’ll come, but the road will suck much of the time till then.
Good luck. With the spring will come more optimism.
-Crandell
My sympathy and prayers are with you. I know from my own experience, how
hard it is to start over. In 1993, I lost my home to a windstorm landing a large
tree on the place and flattening it. I am so glad you have insurance, it also
saved me. Best wishes, Don.
You are right Crandell, thanks. Life goes on and some of it will be better! Don
[V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V] Sorry to here about your misfortune just hope you will get a better layout now! Tim
I had a friend of mine lose his house to a fire. When people asked what they could buy him to help out he would say the oddest things like socks, underwear, a towel… I honestly can’t imagine what it would be like to lose absolutely everything.
Sorry to hear about your loss but as you said it is good that no one was hurt. Things can be replaced, loved are harder to replace. Hang in there, it has to get better from here.
Later, when you get to the point of starting into modelling again let us know. I’d be happy to send you some stuff!
Glad to know no one was hurt, but I am very sorry to hear that. [:(] I really hope you get back on your feet soon!
Sorry 'bout that, that’s gotta suck. Glad nobody was hurt, and on the plus side, if you were thinking about changing scale, era, prototype, locale, or anything else, now’s a good time, since you’re (unfortunately) starting from scratch.
Brad
Don, I am so sorry to hear about your loss…my youngest son is a volunteer fireman and has seen everything from the loss of a 4 year old boy to complete homes as yours. At least you and your family are safe Don, if there is anything you need , let us know.